Somatic Therapy for Anxiety, Burnout and Chronic Stress
Many people come to somatic therapy because stress has settled into the body: a tight chest, a clenched jaw, a stomach that will not settle, or a feeling of being permanently switched on. Somatic therapy works with those sensations and with the nervous system directly, rather than asking you to think your way out of them.
How stress and anxiety can show up in the body
The nervous system's job is to keep you safe. When it stays on alert for a long time, the body can carry that alertness as physical tension, broken sleep, fatigue or a sense of being on edge. Everyone's pattern is different, and I do not diagnose. What I can do is help you notice what your body is doing and give it room to settle.
What we do in a session
We start slowly, with grounding and finding something that helps you feel steady. Then we explore body awareness in small doses: where you notice tension, what the sensation is like and how it changes. We pause whenever you need. You decide how much, if anything, you tell me, and you will never be asked to relive anything.
Burnout
If you are exhausted from carrying too much for too long, the pace of the work matters. Sessions are unhurried, and we work with what your body is telling you now rather than adding another thing to achieve. Read more about somatic therapy.
Working online or in person
I see clients online by video anywhere in the UK, and in person around Bristol and North Somerset, including Portishead, Clevedon and Nailsea. I do not have a therapy room, so in-person sessions take place at your home or another suitable place. See also: does somatic therapy work online?
Fees
A 60-minute session costs £80. The first 15-minute consultation is free, and there is an introductory offer of 10 sessions for £650. A limited number of slots are available for people experiencing financial hardship. See My Fees.
Frequently asked questions
Can somatic therapy help with anxiety?
Many people come to somatic therapy with anxiety because it often shows up in the body. It is a supportive therapy, and I cannot promise a particular result. The free consultation is a chance to talk through whether it feels right for you.
Do I have to talk about what happened to me?
No. We work with what your body is doing now, and you decide how much, if anything, you tell me.
Is this a replacement for seeing my GP or a counsellor?
No. Somatic therapy is a supportive therapy, not a replacement for medical or psychiatric care. If you are already receiving care, I would encourage you to continue it.
What if I feel overwhelmed during a session?
We work slowly, in small doses, and we pause whenever you need. You can always say stop.
Ready to talk it through?
Book a free 15-minute consultation and we can look at whether somatic therapy feels right for you. Read more about somatic therapy or my background.
If you are in crisis, please contact your GP, NHS 111 or Samaritans on 116 123.
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